I spent 20 years in video and film writing, producing and directing; advertising, and creative direction. I’ve produced AIDS educational videos and tough messages around those living with the disease, and I’ve led Change Management for employees of large corporations going through difficult transitions. I raised three sons, two with autism. And I have written and performed songs all along.

These life situations have helped me develop emotional sensitivity and observation, and a willingness to expose my inner truths and vulnerabilities. I put this to use in helping people realize their creative potential through song writing.

I have a talent for relating to people in ways that help them feel safe, while helping them to rediscover their own brilliance and creativity. For some, that process is directed specifically toward the creation of songs. For others the song writing exercises result in a process and an experience that is transferable to a host other areas of their lives and careers.

I love doing this and seeing the difference I am helping people make for themselves. It is an experience that will change your idea about your creative abilities. You will move from fear to fascination. You will remember you can do anything.

With someone to constantly remind you that anything is possible, you’ll let go of what is keeping you from creating everything you want to create.

In this breakthrough style workshop, you’ll imagine your possibilities, and then discover how to consistently say yes to them.

Reengage your Creativity through Songwriting will help you:

· Rev up your enthusiasm for doing what you want to do

· Kick-start and engage creative thinking about anything

· Get rid of your “inner gremlins” and build your self-confidence

· Have some fun as you create something

· See that you are like other people in having fears and doubts that hold you back

· Meet new people, and get a rush of energy from seeing them grow and go

· Help you creatively engage and solve any challenge

During the 5 days of the workshop:

· You will think of, work on, and complete a song. If this is your first attempt, you’ll have a song and it will be better than you expected. If it’s the next song in your series, you’ll do it better than ever before, and have more fun doing it.

· You’ll get past thinking you can’t and remember that you can! Explore the most common blocks that keep people from doing what they want to do, then work through them.

· You will unwind your creative tangles with a variety of tools and challenging mental exercises, designed to help you open up and get going. Some of the exercises are deep and soul seeking and others fun and playful. You’ll get to decide which is which for you.

· You will do exercises that get rid of the inner editor and critic that stymies possibilities before they get off the ground. Great ideas are often rejected during self-talk, and your wonderful creations are never born. You’re going to learn some new ways to stop that negative inner voice.

· You will look at some songwriting tips and tools to help polish your thoughts and lyrics, and write intuitive melodies.

Lyric writing is a powerful tool for reengaging with your truest self. In the workshop you’ll take a deep emotional dive to turn feelings and thoughts into lyrics. As you do this, you’ll gain insights about your beliefs, fears, past pain, dreams, passions, and intuition. Writing in this way, you rediscover the truth about who you are, and your most positive qualities shine through. You will be more inspired every day and led by intuition. When you dig deep and see your truth, your life is positively transformed.

Playing a musical instrument is not required, but if you have one bring it. Dress casually; we will do some dancing and moving.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Thank you, Dawnya for your guidance, inspiration and encouragement. You are going to be the midwife to the birth of many great songs. Heather McElwain

Through this workshop I unkinked my creativity and let it all go. Sally Dennison

Every community that embraces Dawnya will benefit greatly from a creative blossoming of compassionate connections. Richard Koob

Dawnya created a safe, fun, vibrant space which kept me wanting to come back for more. I never expected to write a song that I’m so proud of. Kay Furse

Your song writing class was the most amazing and infectious class that I have ever taken. Not only did you teach us that all people can and should express themselves freely, but that it’s ok to think and sometimes act like a little kid. Dawnya you are a spectacular, nice, smart, and determined person and song writer. Julia Buchanan (Forrest Bird Charter School student)

Dawnya created opportunities for us to see how creative we are, and then offered us tools to craft these newly revealed self-expressions into something honest and professional. Jenn Brooks

This workshop is for anyone who has been putting off doing something they truly want to do. Tim Martin

As a performing songwriter, Dawnya brought chutzpa and her own touching story which was an infectious agent of transformation for the rest of us. I felt open and safe. I loved watching others in the class break out of their self-imposed walls. I would recommend this workshop to anyone who has felt that their inner artist was squelched over the years. Mora Judd

When I first walked into your Songwriting Workshop, there was an air of joy and creativity which let loose in bursts of laughter and self-expression. I enjoyed how you simplified our song writing process while maintaining creative freedom. Bryan Nova Brey